WAPol cleaning contract tops $21 million worth of jobs for people with disability

Our supported employees have helped to achieve a major financial milestone for the Department of Finance, through collaboration with other Government agencies including the Western Australian Police, and Western Australian Disability Enterprises.

Commercial cleaning at two Western Australian Police (WAPol) premises undertaken by Intelife supported employees was today announced as the contract which reached, and surpassed, a $20 million target from the State Government.

At the Joondalup Training Academy, Disability Services Minister Helen Morton said the milestone was reached thanks to the dedication of 27 Government agencies that had, collectively, helped to provide employment to over 2,100 people with disability.

CEO Fiona Beermier said the organisation was proud that their contract with WAPol had reached and exceeded the target, and recognised that the partnership was about promoting diverse and sustainable employment opportunities for people with disability.

“In the two months since work began at the Joondalup and East Perth Police premises, the initiative has already changed perceptions about people with disability, and offered our supported employees new skills, new responsibilities, ownership, pride, diversity, self-worth, independence, friendships and satisfaction - all the things that we can often take for granted,” Ms Beermier said.

“Through partnerships like this one, people recognise ability before disability and help to create inclusive communities, and today we stepped closer to this vision.”

Five hours per day, five days per week, 23 supported employees and their Skills Trainers work at the Joondalup Training Academy and headquarters in East Perth, providing commercial cleaning services including, but not limited to, vacuuming, mopping, dusting, emptying the bins, and cleaning surfaces, bathrooms, and kitchenettes.

PHOTO: Supported employees Kayelin Lee, TeAroha Nepia, Ryan Nankiville and Jessica Franceschi with Minister Morton in one of the Accommodation Building rooms.